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The Kent & Sussex Railway is one of the attractions taking part. Credit: Press Association

Nearly fifty thousand people have applied for free tickets to some of Kent's top attractions as part of a tourism scheme. People were invited to apply for tickets to more than a hundred attractions in the county, as part of Kent's Big Weekend, which takes place on March 23rd and March 24th.

It's designed to showcase the best that Kent has to offer. A record 47,479 entries to the My Kent Big Weekend 2013 free ticket ballots were made in the first five days of the website going fully live.

It's outstripped the 2012 record which saw 40,500 applications in the first seven days. The website offering more than 17,000 plus free tickets will remain open for applications until midnight, Monday February 18.

The offer includes international icons, such as Dover Castle and Canterbury Cathedral, alongside water sports, golf, art and bushcraft courses.